Apparatus and related methods of increasing foot propulsion

ABSTRACT

Biomechanically, a human foot operates as a lever of the second class during the motions involved with walking, running or jumping. Extending the toes during such motion increases the distance between the fulcrum and effort of the foot-lever and results in increased foot propulsion. Disclosed are apparatus and related methods of accomplishing extended toes during the motions involved with walking, running or jumping

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/507,508 (field Jul. 5, 2012), which claims the benefit of Prov. Pat.App. Ser. No. 61/574,072 (filed Jul. 28, 2011), entitled “FulcrumAthletic Shoe.” Both of these earlier filed applications areincorporated by reference in their entirety,

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The subject disclosure relates to athletic footwear, soles, insoles,inserts and slip-ons.

2. Description of Related Art

During the motions involved with walking, running or jumping, the humanfoot operates as a second class lever to cause propulsion. Thisoperation of a foot 1000 is illustrated by FIGS. 1A and 1B. As shown inthose figures, the weight of the body (or load) 2000 resting on the arch1100 of the foot 1000 is propelled by effort 3000 from the calf 1200 toraise the heel and leverage the weight 2000 against the toes 1300, whichact as a fulcrum 4000. The propulsion caused by the foot 1000 is equalto the amount of effort 3000 times the distance between the effort andthe fulcrum. When the toes 1300 of the foot are curled, as illustratedin FIG. 1A, the fulcrum 4000 is closer to the effort 3000 than when thetoes 1300 are extended. The result is that that increased foot 1000propulsion can be accomplished by operating the foot 1000 with extendedtoes 1300 (FIG. 1B) instead of curled toes 1300 (FIG. 1A).

The ability to walk or fun faster and jump higher via increased footpropulsion is desirable because it advantageously increases athletic andexercise performance. However, the human toes naturally curl duringwalking, running or jumping movements so that, thus far, toe extensionhas only been achieved during the initial foot propulsion (e.g., via astarting block). Subsequent foot propulsions are naturally accomplishedwith curled toes. In view of the foregoing, a need exists for apparatusand related methods of increasing foot propulsion via continued toeextension.

In the past several years there have been many advancements in the fieldof athletic footwear, but none of these advancements have been focusedon increased foot propulsion. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,257,470 and 5,253,435 toAuger, et al. discloses athletic footwear with inflatable and deflatablechambers and a built-in pump. The bladder systems focus on themetatarsal, arch and ankle portion for a custom fit that will increasecomfort. However, the shoes do not inflate/deflate underneath the ballof foot and do not increase propulsion or facilitate continued toeextension. U.S. Pat. No. 2,086,389 to Pearson and U.S. Pat. No.2,365,807 to Dialynas both teach an inflatable insole that fits underthe arch of the foot. However, this does not affect the distance betweenthe toes and heel of the foot or increase the amount of effort exertedby a user. U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,180 to Dolan, et al. teaches afluid-filled bladder that provides traction, but does not move thefulcrum forward via toe extension, which is key to propulsion. As aresult users of these types of footwear don't get the full explosivemovements and propulsion out of their feet.

Thus a need exists for an insole or footwear that moves the fulcrum ortoes of the foot relative to the effort or heel of the foot duringmotion so that the result is increased athletic performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to create an athletic footwearthat will engage the toes or phalanges of the foot, moving the fulcrumof the foot forward.

It is an object of the present invention to create increased propulsionin the feet.

It is a further object of the present invention to increase stridelength while walking.

It is a further object of the present invention to create a footwearthat allows the wearer to run faster and jump higher.

Other objectives and desires may become apparent to one of skill in theart after reading the below disclosure and viewing the associatedfigures. Also, These and other embodiments will become apparent from thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following represents brief descriptions of the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A shows how a foot acts a second-class lever with the toes of thefoot curled.

FIG. 1B shows how a foot acts a second-class lever with the toes of thefoot extended.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view a typical foot;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a normal foot delineating the ball of thefoot;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a foot inside of a shoe with a normal insole.

FIG. 5A shows a top view of the sole of a preferred embodiment of thedisclosed athletic footwear.

FIG. 5B shows a side view of the sole of the preferred embodiment of thedisclosed athletic footwear.

FIG. 6A shows a top view of the sole of a second preferred embodiment ofthe disclosed athletic footwear.

FIG. 6B shows a side view of the sole of the second preferred embodimentof the disclosed athletic footwear.

FIG. 7A shows a top view of the sole of a third preferred embodiment ofthe disclosed athletic footwear.

FIG. 7B shows a side view of the sole of the third preferred embodimentof the disclosed athletic footwear.

FIG. 8 shows perspective view of a preferred athletic footwear.

FIG. 9 shows perspective view of a second embodiment of a preferredathletic footwear.

FIG. 10 shows perspective view of a third embodiment of a preferredathletic footwear.

FIG. 11 shows perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an athleticsock.

FIG. 12 shows perspective view of a second embodiment of a preferredathletic sock.

FIG. 13 shows perspective view of a third embodiment of a preferredathletic sock.

FIG. 14 is side view of the preferred footwear and a foot.

FIG. 15 is side view of the second embodiment of the preferred footwearand a foot.

FIG. 10 is side view of the second embodiment of the preferred footwearand a foot.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate onlytypical embodiments of the disclosed assemblies, and therefore, are notto be considered limiting of their scope, for the disclosed assemblesmay admit to other equally effective embodiments that will beappreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also,figures are not necessarily made to scale.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Biomechanically, a human foot operates as a lever of the second classduring the motions involved with walking, running or jumping. Extendingthe toes during such motion increases the distance between the fulcrumand effort of the foot-lever and results in increased foot propulsion.Disclosed are apparatus and related methods of accomplishing extendedtoes during the motions involved with walking, running or jumping.

FIG. 2 depicts the bottom of a human foot 1000. FIG. 3 depicts thebottom of a human foot 1000 with the ball 1500 of the foot 1000 dividedinto three sections. As seen in FIG. 3, the ball 1500 of the foot 1000may be divided into three areas, the upper third 1510, the middle third1520, and the bottom third 1530.

Referring to FIGS. 1A through 3, the middle of the toes 1310 arenormally curved or curled. As alluded to above, FIG. 1A depicts whathappens when a person pushes off on the toes 1310 so that the foot 1000acts as a second-class lever. The toes 1300 act as a fulcrum, and theeffort 3000 is the lifting of the calf 1200 muscles. As seen in FIG. 1Awhen a person pushes off on the toes 1300, the middle of the toes 1300are usually not flattened. Instead the ball 1500 (FIG. 3) of the footand the top 130 of the toes are engaged with the ground. The flatteningof the toes 1300, as shown in FIG. 1B, effectively moves the fulcrum4000 of the lever forward or away from the effort 3000. This increasesthe distance of the lever. The amount of propulsion generated from thelever is equal to the distance of the lever times the effort. Thus, whenthe toes 1300 are Moved forward, the propulsion will increase eventhough the amount of effort remains the same.

FIG. 4 depicts a typical athletic shoe 200 with a typical insole 220. Asshown in FIG. 4, only the ball 1500 of the foot 100 and the tip 1310 ofthe toes 1300 are in contact with the shoe 200 insole 220 and the toesare free to curve or curl.

The preferred embodiment of the disclosure flattens or extends the toesto increase propulsion. FIG. 5A is a top view the preferred embodimentof an insole 400. FIG. 5B is a side view of the insole 400. The insole400 features an abrupt drop off 410 and a ridge 420 surrounding the dropoff 410. The drop off 410 preferably fits under the top third 1510 (FIG.3) of the ball 1500 (FIG. 3) of the foot 1000 (FIG. 3). The ridge 420supports the pads of the toes 1300 (FIG. 3). FIG. 8 depicts a shoe 200with the insole 400 of FIG. 5 built into the shoe 200. The insole 400 ofFIGS. 5A and 5B is attached to the sole of the shoe 200 of FIG. 8 viaadhesive, sewing, melting, electrostatic welding, molding process, oranother method known in the art. The insole 400 can also be manufacturedas part of a sock 300, as shown in FIG. 11. The sock 300 of FIG. 11 canthen be worn inside of a typical athletic shoe 200 (FIG. 8).

In the preferred embodiment, the insole 400 is constructed from pliablematerials. In preferred embodiment, the insole 400 is manufactured witha “cookie cutter type process” (e.g. via a die and press arrangement) orcut (e.g. via a blade, scissors or laser) from flat sheets of thepliable material. However, the insole 400 may also be constructed viaany other manufacturing method known in the art. In the preferredembodiment, the thickness of the insoles 400 is in the range between3/16 of an inch to 1 inch. The range of with ¼ of an inch to ⅜ is theideal thickness within that range, but other thicknesses may be used.Preferably, the length from the heel to the drop off 410 edge, isdetermined by the average heel to ball of foot length, although varyinglengths may be available to accommodate different anatomies.

FIG. 14 illustrates the strategic placement of a serrated or other edge410 under the upper third 1510 (FIG. 3) of the ball 1500 of the foot1000 in the insole 400 of FIG. 5A. This depicted placement allows thetoes 1300 to extended, and this moves the fulcrum of the foot 1000forward and increases propulsion. The pads of the toes 1300 aresupported by the insole ridge 420 and this allows the toes 1300 to beput in their most explosive propulsive position.

An alternate embodiment of the insole 400 is the insert 700 shown inFIG. 6A and 6B. This embodiment features a serrated or other edge 705that preferably goes under the upper third 1510 (FIG. 3) of the ball1500 of the foot 100. FIGS. 7A and 7B feature another embodiment of theinsole 800 with an edge 805 that features varying degrees of a severedrop off. This means that the angle A between the drop-off and the toeportion of the insole can be selected as an abrupt angle or a gradualangle or anything in between. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the insole700 inside a shoe 200. FIG. 15 shows a side view of an athletic shoe 200with the insert 700 of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of theinsole 800 inside a shoe 200. FIG. 16 shows a side view of an athleticshoe 200 with the insert 800 of FIG. 10, The inserts 700, 800 arepreferably affixed to the shoe 200 using enhanced, non-slip treatment tostrengthen the grip of the insert 700,800 and to reduce movement of theinsert 700, 800, although other methods of affixing the insert 700, 800to the shoe 200 may be used.

In preferred embodiment, the insoles 700, 800 are manufactured with a“cookie cutter type process” (e.g. via a die and press arrangement) orcut (e.g. via a blade, scissors or laser) from flat sheets, but may alsobe constructed via any other manufacturing method known in the art. Inthe embodiments shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the thickness of the insoles700, 800 is in the range between 3/16 of an inch to 1 inch, The range ofwith ¼ of an inch to 318 is the ideal thickness within that range, butother thicknesses may be used. Preferably, the length from the heel tothe serrated or other edge 705, 805, is determined by the average lengthfrom the heel to upper third 1510 of the ball 1500 of the foot 1000,although varying lengths may be available to accommodate differentanatomies.

FIGS. 11 through 13 illustrate the insoles 400, 700, and 800 as part ofa sock 300. The sock 300 can then be worn inside of a typical athleticshoe 200.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS & SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly the reader will see that at least one of the embodimentsillustrated provides the user the ability to change the fulcrum of thefoot and the phalanges angle of launch point and increase its ability topropel said user.

Other possible embodiments include:

An athletic device constructed with no insole. The sole could be formedto interact with the balls of the foot and phalanges to increase thefulcrums propelling ability.

-   -   An athletic device with an inflatable system under the pad of        the toes and ball of the feet that adjusts to be rigid or        collapses when desired.    -   An athletic device under the pad of toes and/or under the bails        of the foot that snaps back each step, with a spongy or        collapsible area.    -   An athletic device that forces the toes down upon push off into        a rigid, but collapsible area under the toe.    -   An athletic device that manipulates the heel, sole or parts of        the upper third of the ball of the foot to move the fulcrum        forward and engage the phalanges for more propulsion.    -   A device similar to the disclosed embodiments, but with straps        that can be put on the foot so that the device can be used        independently.

Other features will be understood with reference to the drawings. Whilevarious embodiments of the method and apparatus have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagramsmight depict an example of an architectural or other configuration forthe disclosed method and apparatus, which is done to aid inunderstanding the features and functionality that might be included inthe method and apparatus. The disclosed method and apparatus is notrestricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations,but the desired features might be implemented using a variety ofalternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will beapparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logicalor physical partitioning and configurations might be implemented toimplement the desired features of the disclosed method and apparatus.Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than thosedepicted herein might be applied to the various partitions.Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions andmethod claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shallnot mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform therecited functionality in the same order unless the context dictatesotherwise.

Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of variousexemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood thatthe various features, aspects and functionality described in one or moreof the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability tothe particular embodiment with which they are described, but insteadmight be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more ofthe other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether ornot such embodiments are described and whether or not such features arepresented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadthand scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of theabove-described embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or“an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” or thelike, and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,”“standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construedas limiting the item described to a given time period or to an itemavailable as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompassconventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that mightbe available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, wherethis document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known toone of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass thoseapparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in thefuture.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “atleast,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instancesshall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or requiredin instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use ofthe term “module” does not imply that the components or functionalitydescribed or claimed as part of the module are all configured in acommon package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of amodule, whether control logic or other components, might be combined ina single package or separately maintained and might further bedistributed across multiple locations.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described interms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations.As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art afterreading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their variousalternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustratedexamples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying descriptionshould not be construed as mandating a particular architecture orconfiguration.

1. A method for improving bipedal motion where the heel of a foot israised while the toes of the foot are in mechanical contact with theground, said method comprising the steps of: placing a portion of thefoot over an abrupt drop-off and a ridge on the inside of footwear; and,raising the heel of the foot so that a portion of the ball of the footis positioned over the abrupt drop-off and at least a portion of thepads of the toes are positioned on the ridge.